Wheeler County Chamber Members Hear from Community Leaders
Little Ocmulgee State Park was in the spotlight as the Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce held its annual business meeting at the park’s lodge and heard from new LOSP manager Sonny Taylor.
Also speaking at the February 11 meeting were Glenwood Telephone Company President and CEO Jim O’Brien and School Superintendent Dr. C. Alex Alvarez. During the meeting, the membership elected new board members and honored departing board members.
Taylor, who originally hails from Randolph County in Southwest Georgia, managed several park properties across the state for North Georgia Mountains Authority/ Coral Hospitality before coming to LOSP, which is also managed by these entities and under the auspices of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Since coming on board, Taylor has been busy implementing changes at the park, including upgrades to the lakeside cabins, improvements to the dining areas at the lodge, and other improvements on the grounds of the 265-acre site.
“One of the biggest hurdles we have to cross is maintaining consistency in our level of service, making sure visitors have the same good experience every time they are here. It’s not just about making money, it is about making sure this park stays here forever.”
The park attracts visitors from all over the country, many of whom fly into the adjacent Telfair-Wheeler Airport or drive in to stay at the lodge, cabins, or campground and enjoy golfing at the 18-hole course, boating and fishing on the lake, or hiking the sand hill trails around the lake.
The park is also important to local and area residents who hold family gatherings at the picnic areas or in the group facilities at the park. “We want local and area residents to know what we have here. Our success also depends on community support,” Taylor pointed out.
Taylor said the lakeside cabins have undergone extensive renovations with upgrades including two-bedroom, two-bath spaces with living rooms and full-size kitchens. “They have, arguably, one of best views around overlooking the lake,” Taylor said. The park’s amenities for children have also been improved. The splash pad has been spruced up and the park’s new $400,000 playground features rubber matting so parents don’t have to worry about bumps and bruises as their children play. The golf course’s pro shop has had a face lift, as well as Mulligan’s Bar and Grill at the Lodge. The grill can now accommodate twice as many customers as when it was built (68), and new barn doors open the space onto the restaurant.
“We’ve tried to modernize without sacrificing character,” Taylor said. He referenced the famous 1930s-era log cabin on the lake which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps with cypress gleaned from the lake created from the Little Ocmulgee River lowlands. “It’s the park’s most unique building,” he said of the structure, which once housed the visitor’s center. The plan is to market the log structure an events venue and a picturesque site for weddings. “We plan to create a place outside the building where guests can enjoy the sunset. It will pay homage to the past. We want to modernize the structure but keep its old cabin feel.” Taylor shared that the lodge will be getting new walls, floors, and furniture. An extensive upgrade of the lodge’s hotel rooms has already been completed. Glenwood Telephone’s Broadband Project GTC President and CEO Jim O’Brien told Chamber members that Wheeler County is close to being 100% built out for broadband connection. GTC was awarded a $4.8 million grant from American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide broadband to 608 locations in Wheeler. “By end of all this (project), every location (business, residence) in Wheeler County will be close enough to fiber that the business case can be made to provide fiber to that location.”
So far, 84% of the $4.8 million has been dispersed, 84% of the county has been built out (prepared for broadband connection), and 74% of Wheeler County has been served. “This means I can provide service to those locations within 10 days,” O’Brien explained.
“I feel GTC has used taxpayer money well. We are covering virtually 100% of the county for about $5 million. I am very proud of the work we have done with the very little money we have,” he commented, noting the GTC grant was the smallest grant of this type awarded by the state. “We stretched every dime we could, we bareboned it, and we bought all materials first,” he said, explaining that turned out to be a smart move “because inflation got a lot people.” After construction commenced, Hurricane Helene slowed the project down, but GTC soon got back to work.
At this point Georgia Highway 19 to Lumber City is built out, as is U.S. Highway 280, from the (Oconee River) bridge to close to the Wheeler-Telfair county line. “Three major routes are still left, Georgia Highway 126, going north, then Little Rock Road, then U.S. Highway 441 to the Mount Olivet area,” O’Brien said. The company is still publicizing its progress online, letting potential customers know as service in their areas becomes available.
O’Brien added that his Alamo Central office is about 90% complete and the company should start testing 10 gigabyte service there in mid to late February. The office will be open on a part-time basis. As more and more people are looking for a welcoming community in which to live while working remotely, broadband offers more opportunity for Wheeler County to grow. The services GTC provides are a means to make that growth happen, he said. New School Superintendent Advocates Partnership Wheeler County’s Superinendent of Schools Dr. C. Alex Alvarez has only been in his position a little over six weeks, but he is well along on his list of short-term objectives. “I have gotten to work alongside many of you already as partners in education, business and service,” he told Chamber members.
He said the mission for the school district centers around five core principles: literacy, student achievement, organizational efficiency, safety, and leadership. By assuring every child has access to highquality education, reading, math, critical thinking and problem solving will lay a strong academic foundation that will be the key to their success in both school and in life, he emphasized.
“We will also prioritize organizational efficiency, ensuring our resources are being used effectively for both teachers and students. Every decision we make will be grounded in what is best for students and the long-term vitality of our system,” Dr. Alvarez said. He stressed that safety is also paramount. “We are committed to creating an environment where students, staff and community members feel safe and supported. This extends beyond physical safety to mental and emotional wellbeing.”
To ensure that Wheeler County a place where everyone can thrive, the Wheeler County School District’s mission is not just about developing strong academic skills but also about cultivating leadership in every student, Dr. Alvarez commented, pointing out that the system’s vision is: “Everyone a Leader.” He assured, “Every student, regardless of their background, will be given the tools to become a leader both in the classroom and their community. I believe that leadership is more than a title, is also taking initiative, working collaboratively, and leading by example.” He pointed out that the system recently launched a #Wheeler Wins initiative that recognizes and celebrates student and staff achievement.
He added that he believes in the power of community partnerships. “The strength of Wheeler County lies in its people. We can reach our full potential by working together.” He said he looks forward to working collaboratively with the Chamber, which he recently joined as a member. “When we come together, we all win. I am very excited for the journey ahead,” he concluded.
During the Chamber meeting, the membership elected new board members: Steve Adams, Rodney Brooks, Deborah Clark, Suzanne Couey, and Thomas Mercer. Outgoing board members Jolinda Harrelson and Brandon Pope were presented a plaque in honor of their service. Also leaving the board are Phillip Edge and Gwen Mann who were not in attendance.
BROADBAND PROGRESS — Glenwood Telephone Company President and CEO Jim O’Brien tells members of the Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce that Wheeler County is close to being 100% built out for broadband connection. He expects the company to open an office in downtown Alamo in February. GTC has headquarters in Glenwood.Photo by Deborah Clark
